Collecting means for vents of liquid storage tanks



Oct. 4, 1966 J. J. DORFMAN 3,276,620

COLLECTING MEANS FOR VENTS OF LIQUID STORAGE TANKS Filed June 5, 1964 H \1 I 1 w iT f l {SI 1 M i i \4/ e l a i l FIGZ United States Patent 3,276,620 COLLECTING MEANS FOR VENTS 0F LIQUID STORAGE TANKS Jerome J. Dorfman, 601 39th St., Brooklyn, N.Y. Filed June 5, 1964, Ser. No. 372,791 9 Claims. (Cl. 220--85) This invention relates to collecting means for the vents of liquid storage tanks, and more particularly concerns collecting means for association with tanks for storing fuel oil, gasoline, or the like.

Storage tanks for holding fuel oil and the like are provided with vent pipes which open to the atmosphere to vent air from the tanks when fuel oil or the like is being pumped into the tanks. Such pipes terminate in positions usually adjacent a building with which the tank is associated. Thus, the open end of the vent pipe may be in close proximity to a sidewalk, pavement, roadway or other public thoroughfare.

Under certain temperature conditions, and with certain pumping conditions, it is not unusual to produce a surge of the fuel oil or other liquid being pumped which causes the liquid to gush forth from the open end of the vent pipe, in greater or lesser volume. Obviously, such a discharge of fuel oil or the like, will produce an objectionable and dangerous slick or coating over a sidewalk, pavement or the like.

In many urban areas there are municipal ordinances which provide that such oil slicks or coatings must be washed out and removed within limited time intervals after the discharge, under substantial penalties including suspension of the license of the concern delivering the fuel oil to the storage tanks. Thus, in many cases, such concerns maintain emergency crews for coping with the problems accruing from such vent discharges. Inasmuch as there must be an interim period from the instant of the oil discharge until the crew is available for the cleanup operation, there is still the problem of accident, fire hazard, objectionable odors and the like, which must be faced, together with the added costs for maintaining the emergency clean-up crews.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide portable collecting means for attachment to the vent pipe of a liquid storage tank, when liquid is to be pumped into the tank, so that any liquid surges which might otherwise gush forth from the vent pipe, will be received in the collecting means and will thus avoid dangerous and objectionable slicks or coatings from being deposited on sidewalks, pavements or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved combination of a flexible, foldable envelope and connector means for detachably interconnecting the envelope with the open end of a vent pipe, so that a surge of liquid being pumped into a tank and passing outwardly of the vent pipe thereof will be collected in the envelope.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an envelope formed of liquid impervious material such as polyethylene or the like, such envelope being of a size as to have a substantial volumetric capacity, yet being foldable into compact form to minimize bulk; the folded envelope being held in a frangible container and being adapted to be connected by way of a restricted neck portion to the open end of the vent pipe of a liquid storage tank through suitable connector means, whereby any sudden surge of liquid as the same is being pumped into the tank will pass into the envelope which will automatically unfold in response to the quantity and pressure of the liquid passing therein; the frangible container for the folded envelope readily disintegrating as the envelope unfolds.

3,276,620 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 ice Still another object of this invention is to provide improved connector means of compact, economical form, which lends itself to simple and rapid attachment to the open end of the vent pipe of a liquid storage tank and to a flexible walled envelope.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

In the drawing, FIG. 1 is an elevational view showing a liquid storage tank with its vent pipe connected to a liquid discharge receiver in accordance with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partially in section showing details of the tubular connector means embodying the invention;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational view of the connector means showing the coupling connecting means in its engaging position;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

Essentially, the instant invention is embodied in collecting means for association with the vents of liquid storage tanks; such collecting means comprising flexible envelopes of suitable volumetric capacity proportioned to the particular storage tank and connecting means for detachably interconnecting the envelope with the open end of the vent pipe of the storage tank, so that any surge of liquid incident to the tank filling operations, which would normally be discharged from the vent pipe, is collected in the envelope.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, a conventional tank for storing fuel oil or other liquid, is indicated at 1; the same being located in the basement of a building 2. Alternatively, the tank 1 may be buried in the ground. The tank pipe 1 is provided with the usual vent pipe 3 which extends from the top of the tank and has a terminal portion 4, which usually is disposed adjacent the exterior surface 5 of the building wall, to render the same inconspicuous. Vent pipe 3 has a diameter suitably proportioned to the capacity of tank 1.

Conventional vent pipes open to the atmosphere at their upper ends, although a protective cap is usually mounted on the open end of the vent pipe to prevent foreign objects from being introduced into the vent pipe while allowing free communication of the pipe with the atmosphere.

In accordance with the instant invention, the terminal portion 4 of vent pipe 3 is flanged as at 4A to allow the same to be connected to an inverted U fitting 6 having one arm 7 thereof terminating in a flange 8 for connection to flange 4a. The other arm 9 of fitting 6 extends downwardly for connection to a folded, flexible envelope generally indicated at 10 by connector means generally indicated at 11.

Envelope 10 is formed of thin, flexible plastic sheeting such as polyethylene or polypropylene or other suitable material which is impervious to fuel oil or other liquid contents of the tank 1. The envelope is of a size as to have a volumetric capacity proportioned to the capacity of tank 1 and has a restricted neck portion 12. Envelope 10 is folded and carried in a frangible container such as a cardboard box 13 having a cover 14 which has an opening 15 therein to pass the neck portion 12 of the envelope therethrough.

Connector means 11 is interconnected to arm 9 of fitting 6 by an annular coupling member 16 having an internally threaded upper flange portion 17 which is screwed on to the externally threaded portion 18 of fitting arm 9. The outer wall surface of coupling member 16 beneath flange 17 thereof is formed with a circumferentially extending groove 19 of arcuate cross section, for the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Connector means 11 comprises a tubular member 20 of relatively short length which is externally threaded at one end as at 21. An annular socket member 22 having an internally threaded lower portion 23 receives the threaded end portion 21 therein. The socket member 22 is adapted to receive and seat the lower portion of coupling member 16 on an annular shoulder 24.

Means is provided on socket member 22 for disengageably connecting tubular member 20 to coupling member 16. To this end, the upper wall portion 25 of socket member 22 is formed with a pair of diametrically related openings 26, which openings register with groove 19 on coupling member 16 when the coupling member is seated in socket member 22. The wall portion 25 of socket member 22 is provided with pairs of ears 27 integral therewith and projecting outwardly of the outer surface thereof; the ears 27 being laterally spaced from each other and disposed on either side of each of the openings 26.

A cam element 28 is pivotally mounted between each pair of ears 27 by a pivot pin extending through the central portion of element 28. A lever arm 30 extends from each cam element 28 in offset relation to pivot pin 29. The cam elements 28 comprise a part circumferential portion which is arcuate as at 31 and a portion which is flat as at 32.

The flat cam portions 32 are angularly related to lever arms 30 so that when arms 30 are pivoted on pins 29 to a position in radial relation to the axis of socket member 22, as shown in FIG. 2, then cam flat portions 32 will be disposed opposite openings 26 in socket wall 25, thereby allowing socket member 22 to receive coupling member 16 therein or to separate the same.

However, with coupling member 16 seated in socket member 22, upon downward movement of lever arms 30 from their position indicated in FIG. 2, to the position shown in FIGS. 5, 6, the cam elements 28 are turned on pivot pins 29 to project the arcuate edge portions 31 thereof through openings 26 in socket wall 25 to be received in groove 19 in coupling member 16, thereby locking tubular member 20 to coupling member 16 and to vent pipe portion 4 in communicating relation thereto.

Means is also provided for detachably securing the neck portion 12 of envelope to connector 11, while at the same time providing venting means for envelope 10. To this end, an annular collar 35 having an inner diameter somewhat greater than the outer diameter of member 20, is concentrically mounted on member 20 adjacent the lower end thereof by radial strut portions 36 welded in place, to provide vent space 37 therebetween.

The collar 35 is formed on its outer surface with a circumferential, shallow groove 38 of rectangular cross section. The upper end 12A of envelope neck 12, which has a diameter of the order of that of collar 35, is disposed about the collar and is locked thereto by a clamping metal strap 39 which fits into groove 38 and has a loop element 40 at one end thereof to receive the other end 41 of the strap to be bent back and thus retain the strap 39 in its neck clamping position.

The coupling member 16 may be permanently attached to fitting arm 9. When tank 1 is to be filled with fuel oil or the like, the connector means 11 is quickly attached to member 16 by rapid manipulation of lever arms 30. The envelope 10 in its container 13 is located adjacent connector means 11 and neck portion 12A of the envelope is clamped on collar 35 by strap 39.

In the event that the operation of filling tank 1 is accompanied by a surge of liquid up through vent pipe 3, then such liquid is trapped in envelope 10. As the liquid passes into envelope 10, the same is automatically distended and unfolded while container 13 is readily dismembered to allow the envelope to expand to receive the liquid. It is understood that envelope 10 is formed of plastic sheeting of a gauge suflicient to withstand sudden pressures incident to pumping surges.

After the filling operations are completed, envelope 10 is readily disconnected from connector means 11, which in turn is easily disconnected from coupling member 16 by suitable manipulation of the lever arms 30, as described above. It follows that any liquid discharged from vent pipe 3 will be collected and not permitted to form objectionable and dangerous slicks or coatings in areas adjacent the vent pipe portion 4. The vent openings 37 in collar 35 insure minimized resistance to inflow of liquid into envelope 10, allowing any air in the envelope and air occluded with the liquid discharge to be vented to the atmosphere.

As various changes might be made in the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit thereof, it is understood that all matter herein shown or illustrated, shall be deemed illustrative and not by way of limitation except as set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. For use with a storage tank having a vent pipe open to the atmosphere, means for trapping and collecting liquid discharged from the open end of said vent pipe comprising in combination a flexible walled container for receiving said liquid discharge, said container having a restricted neck portion, and connector means for connecting the open end of said vent pipe and the neck portion of said container, said connector means comprising a tubular member open at the opposite ends thereof, means on one end of said tubular member for mounting said tubular member on said vent pipe in communicating relation thereto, a collar member disposed about said tubular member, means for connecting said collar member to said tubular member and to provide an annular vent space therebetween, the neck portion of said container being disposed about said collar member and means for detachably securing the neck portion of said container to said collar member, the other end of said tubular member projecting inwardly of the neck portion of the container toward the interior portions of said container, whereby a discharge of liquid from said tank via said vent pipe will pass into said container and entrapped air will be vented via the annular vent space between said collar and tubular members.

2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein the axial extent of said collar member is a small fraction of the axial extent of said tubular member and said collar member is mounted on a midportion of said tubular member.

1 3. For use with a storage tank having a vent pipe open to the atmosphere, a flexible envelope having a restricted neck portion, said envelope being folded to minimize the bulk thereof, and means for connecting the open end of said vent pipe with the neck portion of said envelope, said connecting means including vent means whereby a liquid discharge from said tank via said vent pipe will pass into said envelope and unfold the same to receive said liquid discharge in an amount up to the volume of the envelope in its unfolded form and entrapped air may he vented by the vent means on said connecting means.

4. Connector means for connecting the vent pipe of a liquid storage tank with a flexible walled container having a restricted neck portion, said connector means comprising a tubular member open at the opposite ends thereof, means on one end of said tubular member coacting with means on the open end of said vent pipe for detachably mounting said tubular member on the open end of said vent pipe and in communicating relation thereto, the other end of said tubular member being adapted to project into the restricted neck portion of said container, means on exterior surface portions of said tubular member for mounting the restricted neck portion of said container with an annular vent space between said neck porti n O the container and said tubular member.

5. Connector means as in claim 4 wherein said last mentioned means comprises a collar member disposed coaxially about said tubular member and in annularly spaced relation thereto, strut means connecting said collar and tubular members, and clamping means adapted to secure the neck portion of said container to exterior surface portions of said collar member.

6. Connector means for connecting the vent pipe of a liquid storage tank with a flexible envelope for receiving a liquid discharge from said storage tank via said vent pipe, said envelope having a restricted neck portion, said connector means comprising in combination, a coupling member attachable to the open end of the vent pipe, a tubular member having means on one end thereof coactive with means on said coupling member for detachably mounting said tubular member on said coupling member for communication with the open end of said vent pipe, an annular collar member disposed about a midportion of said tubular member with an annular vent space therebetween, means for fixedly connecting said collar and tubular members, the other end of said tubular member being adapted to project within the neck portion of said envelope, the marginal portions of the neck portion of said envelope at the open end thereof being adapted to be disposed about said collar member, and means for clamping the marginal portions of said neck portion of the envelope to said collar member.

7. Connector means as in claim 6 wherein said coupling member is formed With an annular groove on the outer surface thereof, and the means on the one end of said tubular member comprises an annular socket for slidably receiving said coupling member therein, said socket being formed with a pair of openings on diametrically opposed wall portions thereof, cam means pivotally mounted on the exterior surface of said socket and respectively received in the openings therein, said cam means being movable between one position thereof wherein the same is disposed inwardly of the inner surface of said socket to allow the insertion and removal of said coupling member relative to the socket in said tubular member, and another position wherein said cam means projects radially beyond the inner surface of said socket to be received in the annular groove of said coupling member to thereby lock said coupling member to said tubular member.

8. Connector means as in claim 7 wherein said cam means include lever arms extending rearwardly thereof, means on exterior wall portions of said socket for pivotally mounting the inner end portions of said lever arms about horizontal axes extending transversely of the axis of said socket, said lever arms being movable to positions radially related to the axis of said socket to locate said cam means in the one position thereof and movable to positions parallel to the axis of said socket to locate said cam means in the other position thereof.

9. For use with a liquid storage tank having a vent pipe open at one end to the atmosphere, a large thin walled, flexible envelope having a restricted neck portion, said envelope being folded flat into compact form of minimized bulk, a readily frangible container holding the folded envelope, means for connecting the open end of said vent pipe with the neck portion of said envelope, said connecting means comprising a tubular member, means on one end of said tubular member for detachably connecting said tubular member to said vent pipe for communication therewith, the other end of said tubular member being adapted to project into the neck portion of said envelope, means on said tubular member for detachably attaching the neck portion of said envelope in spaced relation to said tubular member to provide a vent space therebetween, whereby a surge of liquid from said tank via said vent pipe will pass into said envelope, the pressure of said surge of liquid being operative to unfold the folded envelope and to disrupt the frangible container thereof so that said envelope may open to receive said surge of liquid.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,652,793 12/1927 Perry 220- 1,810,822 6/1931 Erickson 220-86 2,033,142 3/1936 Lewis 285-312 2,089,940 8/1937 Brown 285-253 X 2,545,233 3/1951 Kaufman 285-153 X 3,083,877 4/1963 Gash.

3,124,374 3/1964 Krapp 285-312 X 3,199,742 8/1965 Hill 229-14 X THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

JAMES R. GARRETT, Examiner. 

1. FOR USE WITH A STORAGE TANK HAVING A VENT PIPE OPEN TO THE ATMOSPHERE, MEANS FOR TRAPPING AND COLLECTING LIQUID DISCHARGES FROM THE OPEN END OF SAID VENT PIPE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION A FLEXIBLE WALLED CONTAINER FOR RECEIVING SAID LIQUID DISCHARGE, SAID CONTAINER HAVING A RESTRICTED NECK PORTION, AND CONNECTOR MEANS FOR CONNECTING THE OPEN END OF SAID VENT PIPE AND THE NECK PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER, SAID CONNECTOR MEANS COMPRISING A TUBULAR MEMBER OPEN AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, MEANS ON ONE END OF SAID TUBULAR MEMBER FOR MOUNTING SAID TUBULAR MEMBER ON SAID VENT PIPE IN COMMUNICATING RELATION THERETO, A COLLAR MEMBER DISPOSED ABOUT SAID TUBULAR MEMBER; MEANS FOR CONNECTING SAID COLLAR MEMBER TO SAID TUBULAR MEMBER AND TO PROVIDE AN ANNULAR VENT SPACE THEREBETWEEN, THE NECK PORTION OF SAID CONTAINER BEING DISPOSED ABOUT SAID COLLAR MEMBER AND MEANS FOR DETACHABLY 